October 25, 2020
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Picking up where 4 Ways Your Social Media Activity Could Hurt a Personal Injury Case (Pt. 1) left off, here, we will continue discussing some of the most common ways in which a plaintiff’s social media posts and activities could have a negative impact on the strength of his case, as well as the amount of compensation he ends up receiving.
More Things to Avoid Doing on Social Media When You’re a Plaintiff in a PI Case…
2. Posting Pictures or Videos that Contradict the Claims in Your Personal Injury Case
Even if you make an effort to avoid posting about your personal injury case in your social media activities, other things that you post – like photos or videos – could still end up hurting your case.
For example, suppose that you were involved in a car accident and that you are claiming, as part of your case, that you sustained certain injuries – like, for instance, some neck and back injuries. Then, while your case is still pending, you end up posting pictures of you engaged in some physical activity like, for instance, biking, kayaking, etc.
Well, these pictures of you involved in rigorous physical activities after you supposedly sustained an injury could be used defendants in your case to try to claim that:
- You were not actually injured in the accident.
- Your injuries are far less severe than they may actually be.
Ultimately, this could lead to your compensation being dramatically reduced (as the compensation may only end up covering damage to your property and not any medical bills or recovery needs that should be covered).
3. Posting Negative (or Threatening) Comments about the Defendant in the Personal Injury Case
In the aftermath of a personal injury, injured people may harbor certain resentments and anger against the people, companies or other parties who caused their injuries. In such cases, it can be very tempting to talk badly about these parties in social media posts. While this type of venting may provide some immediate emotional relief for injured people, it could end up having some significant negative impacts on a person’s case in the long term.
This is because, when people “malign” defendants in social media posts, they can be accused of libel, violating terms of non-disclosure agreements and/or initiating other actions that may work against them when it comes time to negotiate a settlement.
Stay posted for the upcoming conclusion to this blog series for our final thoughts on the potential negative impacts of social media on a personal injury case.
Mount Vernon Personal Injury Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers take pride in tailoring our legal representation to specifically meet our clients’ needs and in expertly guiding them through each stage of the complex the legal process. While our attorneys are aggressive and effective litigators both inside and outside of the courtroom, we are also counselors who will do everything we can to help each of our clients get the maximum possible compensation for their losses and injuries.
Contact Us
If you have been injured in any type of accident that may have been caused by another party’s negligence, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.
